KTM’s new flagship enduro motorcycle, the 1290 Super Adventure, has been unveiled at the 2014 Intermot Show in Cologne, Germany. Like the name suggests, the 1290 Super Duke is based on the 1290 Super Duke R, though the engine has been detuned to keep the ferocity under control. The 1290 Super Adventure was revealed earlier this month in an online event, the Intermot marks its first ever public appearance.
The 1290 Super Adventure gets the same 1301 cc V2 from the KTM 1290 Super Duke R, though the power figures have been brought down from 180bhp to 160bhp. The engine has been equipped with new cylinder heads and a new crankshaft to give it the characteristics of an enduro motorcycle.
Most of the design cues have been carried forward from the 1190 Adventure model. However, the 1290 Super Adventure does get a new fairing with larger air vents and a redesigned front cowl to accommodate the new engine. To enhance the touring ability of the motorcycle, the 1290 Super Adventure has been equipped with a new adjustable windshield, heated seats, grips and a massive 30-litre fuel tank.
Equipment wise, the 1290 Super Adventure gets switchable ride modes, a hill hold control, engine drag torque control and stability control MSC with a multi-stage combined C-ABS. Staying true to its rugged off-road image, the 1290 Super Adventure gets spoke wheels.
The Austrian manufacturer has even gone so far as to call it the world’s safest motorcycle as it seems confident that the 1290 Super Adventure will give the best enduro motorcycles out there a run for their money, just like its predecessor did. The 1290 Super Adventure will rival the likes of the Suzuki V-Strom and Europe’s most popular endure motorcycle, the BMW R1200GS.
At the launch of the RC390 and RC200 in India, KTM had revealed that the 1190 Adventure or the 1290 Super Adventure for that matter won’t be brought to India as the market for these bikes is still in the nascent stages. However, the company confirmed that a new 1050 Adventure motorcycle will surely make it to the Indian shores. And so the wait continues.
